FOUR Central West under-16s have earned Country guernseys after playing leading roles for the Blue Bulls in the NSW Country Championships played at Maitland.
Country will play City and later in the year play in the National Championships, and in Country colours will be Rohan Kopp and Kurtis Crisante from Dubbo Roos, Tom Fisher (Orange City) and Callum Styles from Wellington.
The selections came about after the Blue Bulls went down 8-0 to Hunter in the final of the Country titles.
Coach, Vincent Gordon from Dubbo Roos, said the boys played on a mixture of disciplined application of instructions, courage and determination and made plenty sit up and take notice.
“With wins in qualifying over Country Rugby strong hold Illawarra 9-0 and tournament favourites Central Coast 15-3, the boys from the Central West went into the final against a much stronger and favoured Hunter as the clear underdogs but on a role,” he said.
“Dynamite defence from fullback Tom Fisher halted several Hunter raids and along with Callum Styles and Bailey Hilder defending in midfield the Bulls defence was well on top of its more favoured rivals.
“Unfortunately as the rain fell the Hunter boys gained the upper hand and went to the final whistle victors 8-0.
“In what was an extremely pleasing effort where the team performed above expectations the coaching staff where well pleased with the weekend.